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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on December 2, 2010 at 9:43pm

Having a junior/explorer taking pics or video is fine for the most part....it keeps them from worrying about doing stuff.....however, when it comes to patient care of any type things should be held off. I looked at the site and there are some good pics, and did see where the victim's picture was blurred out, but really, there is no reason to take any pics of patients.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Neal on December 13, 2010 at 5:04pm

Scouting does not prohibit Explorers from taking pictures, so technically it is OK. The advantage of using a nationally recognized program such as Fire Explorers is that there are well recognized guidelines and rules in place.

However, there are some Risk Management concerns that need to be evaluated prior to allowing Explorers, or any department mmber for that matter, from taking pictures at trainig/scenes. In this day of social media, and folks innocently distributing pictures/videos/helmet cams etc, you need to manage this issue carefully.

Here are just some of the Risk Management concerns. I'm sure you can add others.

1. What is your POLICY on photos/videos taken at the scene? Some departments only allow this with department issued equipment, so that the pictures remain as department property.
2. HIPPA - Make sure that patient's whose image appears can not be identified.
3. Safety - Can the pictures be taken without entering the warm zone or an IDLH? Will the photographer check in with Command and be a part of the Incident Management System? How will accountability be maintained?
4. Approval - Who within the organization will approve/authorize any distribution (even within the department) of the photos.
5. Training - How will you train the members on the policy (assuming you have one, and if not you should) related to taking pictures at emergencies/training etc.
6. Discipline - How will you monitor the distribution of the photos? What will be the consequences if the distribution policy is violated?
7. Remember, once pictures are taken, even if not distributed outside the department, they are subject to discovery and use by attorneys.

I think the positives outwight the negatives, just manage the program.

Explorers can provide lots of valulable services to your department, but like all programs, need to be managed and Risk Management needs to be a part of that process. It is espescially true in this day and age when teenagers are very comfortable with (and don't think about the consequences) of sharing lots of information that us old moss backs would be shocked to see.

By the way, THANKS to all of you who share your pictures. There are great learning lessons in many of them. Unfortunately, some show folks doing stupid things like not wearing seat belts, breathing smoke, not wearing full turnouts at fires (yes Capt, you need to wear the bunker pants, helmet, and air pack at a car fire), getting drunk, or what ever. Just some examples I have seen in the last month.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on December 13, 2010 at 5:31pm

I do not take cameras or pictures from my phone because I have a duty, wheither I am bored or not I want to be ready in case I have to run and do something.

I have in the past taken photos and videos or car accidents from infront of my house
(We have a nasty spot to live, there are up to 20 accidents a year in front of my house)

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on December 13, 2010 at 6:15pm

I do a few things, no just stand around :)

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Permalink Reply by Rachel on December 2, 2011 at 4:26pm

I am a junior member of my department and I am the Public Information Officer. I show all photos and videos I take to my Chief.

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Permalink Reply by Ron Briggs on December 14, 2011 at 7:45pm

I used to be an Explorer when I was in high school. I was the secretary of the post as well as the photographer. I only took photos at post events during that time and never on calls.  Now as I am the Fire Photographer, I take my cameras on calls even when I do ride-alongs but don't always take photos.  I only do the photos during the rides if on accidents or fire scenes.  Some of my photos are used in public education as well as some of the fire investigations.  As explorers, they are limited what they can and can't do by the BSA and the depts. and I feel that a good role for them on the scenes would be photographer since they would be out of the way and this way they are still helping.  All photos must go through the Chief prior to releasing or posting somewhere.  Their own gear or not doesn't matter there.

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